Folding table



No. 6|o,269. Patented sept. 6, 1898.

c. H. HonG'KlNs.

FOLDING TABLE.

(Application led Dec. 16, 1897.)

(No Model.)

wai- 3.3.-

farai "ml: NoRms PETERS ca, Moraufuq, wAsmNm'oN n c Fries'.

CURTIS H. HODGKINS, OF NORTHEAST HARBOR, MAINE.

FOLDINcTABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming pere ef Lettere :Patent No; 610,269, dated september 6, 1898. Application nea Deeember 16, 1897. sei-iai No. 662,195. (Ne meaei.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CURTIS H. HODGKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Northeast Harbor, in the county of Hancock and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Folding Table, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding tables.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of folding tables and to provide asimple, inexpensive, and efficient one which may be compactly folded when not in use and which may be quickly arranged for use.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of the locking device for retaining the parts in their operative position and to provide simple and efficient means for accomplishing this result adapted to be quickly engaged with the legs and capable of being retained in such engagement by the weight of the top of the table and its contents, so that there will be-no liability of the table accidentally collapsing.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in theclaims hereto appended.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding table constructed in accordance with this invention,the top being slightly elevated to show the locking devices. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the parts of the table in position for use. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the table, the parts being folded. l

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the ligure-s of the drawings.

l and 2 designate legs arranged in pairs, the members of each pair being connected near their lowerends by transverse bars 3 and being centrally connected to the mem! bers of the adjacent pair by pivots L The upper ends of the legs l are hinged to a transverse cleat 5, which is secured to the Llower face of a table-top 6, and the other legsZ are connected at their upper ends by a cross-bar 7, which is provided near its ends with perforations 8, adapted to be engaged by round `projections or lugs 9 plates 10. The plates 10," which are arranged on the lower face of the table-top at points diametrically opposite the cleat 5, are perforated for the reception of screws or other suitable fastening devices,

and the projections or lugs 9 are offset from the lower face of the table-top.

The table is locked in its position for use by sliding the cross-bar 7 into engagement with the lugs or projections 9, which enter the perforations S, and as the legs 2 are disposed at an inclination their upper ends rise slightly in withdrawing the cross-bar 7 from the plates '10, so that the weight of the table-top and the contents operates to retain the cross-bar in engagement with the lugs or projections and prevents the table from accidentally collapsing. After the legs 2 are disengaged from the plates 10 their upper ends are swung downward against the lower ends of the legs 1, and the table-top, which is hinged to the upper ends of the latter, is adapted to fold against the legs, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

" The top of the table may be strengthened by a longitudinal cleat l1, disposed centrally asthe weight upon the top of the table operates in a measure to retain the cross-bar in engagement with the lugs of the plates.

The table may be quickly and complactly folded when it is not in use, and it is readily `unfolded and arranged for use.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of `this invention.V

What I claim is 1. A folding table comprising a top, the oppositely-inclined legs arranged in pairs and IOO centrally pivoted together, the upper ends of one pair of legs being hinged to the top, a cross-bar connecting the upper ends of the other pair of legs and provided with a perforation, and a plate secured to the lower face of the table-top and provided with an inwardly-extending projection or pin arranged to engage the perforation of the cross-bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A folding table comprising a top, the oppostely-inclined legs arranged in pairs and centrally pivoted together, the upper ends of one pair being hinged to the top, a cross-bar connecting the upper ends of the other pair and provided with perforations and having a recess between them, plates secured to the lower face of the top and having inwardly-extending projections engaging the perforations of the cross-bar, and a longitudinal cleat mounted on the lower face of the top, arranged between said plates and fitting in the recess of the cross-bar, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signatu re in the presence of two witnesses.

Y CURTIS H. HODGKINS. lVitnesses:

C. C. PERRY, Mrs. C. 0. PERRY. 

